Greetings from smoky Portland, Oregon. Earlier in the week, I was in Seattle, and my car was lightly coated with ash from distant fires, remnant of trees destroyed by fire. We are all wondering if smoky skies are the new “norm” for the Pacific Northwest, a reminder of the global-size change in our climate.

A few weeks ago, I started to “unpack” our mission statement, which begins with the bold claim that the Community of Pilgrims is an intentional Christian community. We are not a worship community only. We are not a service community only. We are not an educational community only. Again: we are an intentional Christian community, an “us”, a “we”, a “them.” We follow in the lineage of Benedictine communities, L’Arche communities, Catholic Workers community, Koinonia Farms, New Creation Presbyterian Church, and Church of the Savior communities, to name a few of our predecessors.

What is striking about the focus Scripture this week from Ephesians 6:10-20—which is otherwise known as the “armor of God” passage—is that the writer was writing to communities such as ours: intentional body of believers, who are called to put on the metaphorical “armor” of God as one community; together, put on the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. The writer urged the church to pray as a united community of faith, together, like we do weekly. And the writer encouraged the community of faith, like ours, to remain alert, to persevere, and to pray for “all the saints,” meaning believers not just in Portland, but in other cities, states, and countries. Join us this Sunday as we further explore what it means to be an intentional Christian community of faith.___

Fri., Aug. 24-Wed., Aug. 29, Pastor Brett will be staff for “Listening with Open Hearts” Conference for the United Methodist Church at Collins Retreat Center. Again, we will gather together on Aug. 26 for worship.

Aug. 26, 4-6 pm, Gathering and Worship with Community of Pilgrims at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church.

Sept. 2, 4-6 pm, Gathering and Worship with Community of Pilgrims at Rose City Park PCUSA;

Sept. 9, 4-6 pm, Gathering and Worship with Community of Pilgrims at Rose City Park PCUSA

**Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, we are excited about celebrating the first anniversary of the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018! On our first Sunday, 31 people joined us! Come join us again for a special anniversary Sunday, when we hope to have 32 people join us!**____

Requests

*Regarding the t-shirts: Please pick up your t-shirt this Sunday, and bring cash or a check made out to Community of Pilgrims, in the amount of $8 for adult M, L, and XL, and youth; and $12 for adult 2XL. Thank you!____

Poem

August Moon, by Bonnie CollinsAugust moon echoes of katydids and the aroma of the lake that summer not any special aroma, but somehow thatwill always be in my heart along with the first kiss the evening had in store

Hot summer days, and summer nightswith all the mysterious wonders that lied ahead of my life each one of themhas left its impact on me till this very day

Being young, and turning into a young ladyfrom a tom boy certainly had its adjustments in store for me